Rollable display device

ABSTRACT

A rollable display device includes a display panel for displaying an image, a printed circuit board connected to an edge of the display panel, and a roller which the display panel is rolled onto or unrolled from. The roller has a cylindrical shape having an inner space, and the printed circuit board is disposed in the inner space.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of co-pending U.S. application Ser.No. 15/356,074 filed on Nov. 18, 2016, which is a Continuation of Ser.No. 14/755,965 filed Jun. 30, 2015, which is a Continuation of Ser. No.14/546,833 filed Nov. 18, 2014 (Now U.S. Pat. No. 9,098,241, Issued onAug. 4, 2015), which claims the benefit of priority of Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2014-0092343 filed on Jul. 22, 2014, and No.10-2014-0093790 filed on Jul. 24, 2014, which are hereby incorporated byreference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND

Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to a rollable display device. The presentdisclosure also relates to a rollable display device where a printedcircuit board is stably fixed and a display panel is automaticallyrolled and unrolled.

Discussion of the Related Art

Recently, as the information society progresses, display devicesprocessing and displaying a large amount of information have rapidlyadvanced and various flat panel displays (FPDs) have been developed.Specifically, the FPDs such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) device, aplasma display panel (PDP) device, an organic light emitting diode(OLED) display device and a field emission display (FED) device havingsuperior performance with a thin profile, a light weight, and a lowpower consumption have substituted for a cathode ray tube (CRT).

Since the FPD uses a glass substrate resistant to the heat of afabrication process, there exists a limit to the light weight, the thinprofile and the flexibility of the FPD. As a result, a flexible displaydevice which performs display function even when bent by using aflexible material such as plastic instead of the glass has beenresearched as a next generation FPD.

The flexible display devices may be classified into: an unbreakabledisplay device which has a relatively high durability; a bendabledisplay device which is capable of being bent; a rollable display devicewhich is capable of being rolled; and a foldable display device which iscapable of being folded. The flexible display device has advantages in aspace application and interior decoration and design and has variousapplications. Specifically, a rollable display device has beenresearched for an ultra thin profile, a light weight and a portable sizehaving a large display area.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, as embodied and broadlydescribed herein, the present invention provides a display deviceincluding a flexible display panel, a roller on which the flexibledisplay panel is selectively wound and unwound, and a printed circuitboard connected to the flexible display panel. The printed circuit boardis located within the roller. A connector is provided interconnectingone end of the flexible display panel to the printed circuit board. Theroller includes an aperture extending longitudinally along the roller.The connector is located within the aperture. An adhesive is providedfor fixing the one end of the flexible display panel to the roller. Apin is provided to connect the printed circuit board to the roller. Thepin has a first end located in a through hole provided in the roller anda second end located in a pin receiving portion provided in the roller,and extends through a pin hole provided in the printed circuit board.The pin receiving portion may be a fixing groove provided in the roller.The roller may be formed as a circular cylinder or a hollow tube.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a display deviceincluding a case, a flexible display panel, a roller located within thecase and on which the flexible display panel is selectively wound andunwound, and an elevating mechanism configured to extend the flexibledisplay panel from the case. The elevating mechanism includes a guiderail attached to the flexible display panel, and a first link and asecond link configured to elevate the guide rail. A first guide bracketis located at one end of the first link and movable along the guiderail, and a second guide bracket is located at one end of the secondlink and movable along the guide rail. The first guide bracket and thesecond guide bracket each include a guide portion located within theguide rail, and a rotational link portion extending from the guideportion. The rotational link portion of the first guide bracket isrotatably connected to the first link, and the rotational link portionof the second guide bracket is rotatably connected to the second link. Afixing bracket is provided to which the guide rail is attached. Thefixing bracket includes a fixing portion having an inserting hole intowhich one end of the flexible display panel is inserted.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and areintended to provide further explanation of the embodiments as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments and together with thedescription serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. In thedrawings:

FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views showing a rollable display deviceaccording to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2A is a magnified view of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2B is a projected view of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2A.

FIGS. 3A to 3F are views showing a method of fabricating a rollabledisplay device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are views showing a rollable display device according toa second embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective views showing a rollable display devicein an OFF state and an ON state, respectively, according to a secondembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view showing a rollable display device inan OFF state according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6B is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6C is a perspective view showing a rollable display device changingfrom an OFF state to an ON state according to a second embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 6D is a perspective view showing a rollable display device in an ONstate according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments,examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views showing a rollable display deviceaccording to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

In FIGS. 1A and 1B, a rollable display device 100 includes a displaypanel 110 for displaying an image and a roller 120 where the displaypanel 110 is rolled.

The display panel 110 may include one of a liquid crystal display (LCD)device, a plasma display panel (PDP) device, an organic light emittingdiode (OLED) display device and a field emission display (FED) device.For example, the display panel 110 may be the OLED display device as aflexible display device which keeps displaying an image even when bentlike a paper.

Since a backlight unit for the LCD device of a non-emissive type is notrequired for the OLED display device of an emissive type, the OLEDdisplay device has a light weight and a thin profile. In addition, theOLED display device has advantages in a viewing angle, a contrast ratioand power consumption as compared with the LCD device. Further, the OLEDdisplay device can be driven with a low direct current (DC) voltage andhas a rapid response speed. Moreover, since the inner elements of theOLED display device have a solid phase, the OLED display device has anexcellent durability against an external impact and has a wide availabletemperature range. Specifically, since the OLED display device isfabricated through a simple process, the fabrication cost is reduced ascompared with the LCD device.

The display panel 110 may include first and second substrates facing andspaced apart from each other and the first and second substrates may beattached using a protecting layer having an adhesive property.

Although not shown, the first and second substrates have a plurality ofpixel regions in a display area. A driving thin film transistor may beformed in each pixel region on the first substrate. A first electrodeconnected to the driving thin film transistor is formed in each pixelregion, and a light emitting layer emitting a colored light and a secondelectrode are sequentially formed on the first electrode. The lightemitting layer emitting a light of red, green and blue colors may beformed by patterning an organic material. The first electrode, the lightemitting layer and the second electrode may constitute a light emittingdiode (LED). In addition, the first and second electrodes may functionas an anode and a cathode, respectively.

The display panel 110 may have a non-display area surrounding thedisplay area, and a plurality of lines and a plurality of driving chipsfor transmitting and generating driving signals and power signals areformed in the non-display area.

A printed circuit board (PCB) 130 (of FIG. 2A) electrically connected tothe plurality of lines is attached to the non-display area of thedisplay panel 110. The PCB 130 may be connected to an edge of thedisplay panel 110 through a connecting means 140 (of FIG. 2B) such as aflexible printed circuit (FPC) or a tape carrier package (TCP).

In an OFF state where the display panel 110 does not display an image,as shown in FIG. 1A, the display panel 110 is rolled onto the roller120. In an ON state where the display panel 110 displays an image, asshown in FIG. 1B, an end of the display panel 110 is unrolled from theroller 120 according to a user's demands.

The display panel 110 is rolled onto the roller 120 when the rollabledisplay device 100 is not used and the display panel 110 is unrolledfrom the roller 120 when the rollable display device 100 is used. As aresult, the rollable display device 100 has an advantage in a spaceapplication. In addition, since the rollable display device 100 has anultra thin profile and a light weight, the rollable display device 100has advantages in interior decoration and design.

Since the PCB 130 connected to the edge of the display panel 110 isdisposed in the roller 120, an impact is not applied to the PCB 130 anda stress is not applied to the connecting means 140 between the PCB 130and the display panel 110 when the display panel 110 is rolled onto theroller 120 and when the display panel 110 is unrolled from the roller120. As a result, breakdown of a driving circuit on the PCB 130 anddisconnection between the PCB 130 and the display panel 110 areprevented, thereby preventing deterioration of signals and improvingreliability of the rollable display device 100.

Further, since the stress is not applied to the connecting means 140between the PCB 130 and the display panel 110, an additional fixingmeans for fixing the PCB 130 to the display panel 110 is omitted. As aresult, a fabrication process is simplified and fabrication cost isreduced, thereby improving fabrication efficiency.

FIG. 2A is a magnified view of FIG. 1A, FIG. 2B is a projected view ofFIG. 2A, and FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2A.

In FIGS. 2A to 2C, the roller 120 has a cylindrical shape having aninner space A, and the display panel 110 is rolled along an outersurface of the roller 120. A guide hole 121 exposing the inner space Ais formed along a length direction of the roller 120. The edge of thedisplay panel 110 where the PCB 130 is connected through the connectingmeans 140 is attached and fixed to the outer surface of the roller 120adjacent to the guide hole 121 through an adhesive means 111 (of FIG.3B) such as an adhesive resin or an adhesive double-sided tape, and theconnecting means 140 and the PCB 130 is inserted into the guide hole 121of the roller 120 to be disposed in the inner space A.

For example, an attaching area between the roller 120 and the displaypanel 110 may have a width greater than about 1 cm so that damage to thedisplay panel 110 due to rotation of the roller 120 can be minimizedwhen the display panel 110 is unrolled from the roller 120.

The PCB 130 is stably fixed in the inner space A of the roller 120 by atleast one pin 123 inserted through at least one pin hole 131 of the PCB130. For example, at least one pin hole 131 may be formed at both endportions of the PCB 130 along the length direction. Further, at leastone through hole 125 where the at least one pin 123 may be inserted fromthe exterior may be formed in a portion of the roller 120, and at leastone fixing groove 127 where an end of the at least one pin 123 throughthe at least one through hole 125 and the at least one pin hole 131 isfixed may be formed on an inner surface of the opposite portion of theroller 120.

As a result, when the PCB 130 inserted into the guide hole 121 isdisposed in the inner space A of the roller 120, the at least one pin123 inserted into the at least one through hole 125 of the roller 120passes through the at least one pin hole 131 of the PCB 130 to cross theinner space A and is fixed to the at least one fixing groove 127 of theroller 120. Since a degree of freedom of the PCB 130 is restrained bythe at least one pin hole 131 and the at least one hole 123, the PCB 130is stably fixed in the inner space A.

When the display panel 110 is rolled onto or unrolled from the roller120, an impact to the PCB 130 and a stress to the connecting means 140between the PCB 130 and the display panel 110 are not applied.Accordingly, breakdown of a driving circuit on the PCB 130 anddisconnection between the PCB 130 and the display panel 110 areprevented, thereby preventing deterioration of signals and improvingreliability of the rollable display device 100.

In addition, since the stress is not applied to the connecting means 140between the PCB 130 and the display panel 110, an additional fixingmeans for fixing the PCB 130 to the display panel 110 is omitted, and aconnection process such as a tape automated bonding (TAB) process isapplicable to the rollable display device 100 without modification. As aresult, a fabrication process is simplified and fabrication cost isreduced, thereby improving fabrication efficiency.

Further, since the at least one pin 123 crossing the inner space A ofthe roller 120 is fixed to the at least one fixing groove 127, theposition of the at least one pin 123 is fixed in the inner space A ofthe roller 120, and the PCB 130 is more stably fixed in the inner spaceA of the roller 120.

FIGS. 3A to 3F are views showing a method of fabricating a rollabledisplay device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 3A, the rollable display device 100 includes the display panel110 for displaying an image and the roller 120 where the display panel110 is rolled. The roller 120 has a cylindrical shape having an innerspace A, and the guide hole 121 exposing the inner space A is formedalong a length direction of the roller 120. In addition, the at leastone through hole 125 exposing the inner space A is formed in a portionof the roller 120 and the at least one fixing groove 127 is formed onthe inner surface of the opposite portion of the roller 120.

The PCB 130 is connected to the edge of the flexible display panel 110through the connecting means 140, and the at least one pin hole 131 (ofFIG. 2B) is formed at both end portions of the PCB 130 along the lengthdirection.

In FIG. 3B, after the PCB 130 and the connecting means 140 are insertedinto the guide hole 121 of the roller to be disposed in the inner spaceA of the roller 120, the edge of the display panel 110 where theconnecting means 140 is connected is fixed and attached to the outersurface of the roller 120 adjacent to the guide hole 121 through theadhesive means 111 such as an adhesive resin or an adhesive double-sidedtape.

In FIG. 3C, the at least one pin 123 is inserted into the at least onethrough hole 125 from the exterior to cross the inner space A of theroller 120.

In FIG. 3D, the end of the at least one pin 123 through the at least onethrough hole 125 and the at least one pin hole 131 is fixed to the atleast one fixing groove 127, so that the PCB 130 is stably fixed in theinner space A of the roller 120. As a result, an impact to the PCB 130and a stress to the connecting means 140 between the PCB 130 and thedisplay panel 110 are not applied even when the display panel 110 isrolled onto or unrolled from the roller 120. Accordingly, breakdown of adriving circuit on the PCB 130 and disconnection between the PCB 130 andthe display panel 110 are prevented, thereby preventing deterioration ofsignals and improving reliability of the rollable display device 100.

In addition, since the stress is not applied to the connecting means 140between the PCB 130 and the display panel 110, an additional fixingmeans for fixing the PCB 130 to the display panel 110 is omitted, and aconnection process such as a tape automated bonding (TAB) process isapplicable to the rollable display device 100 without modification. As aresult, a fabrication process is simplified and fabrication cost isreduced, thereby improving fabrication efficiency.

In FIG. 3E, the display panel 110 is rolled onto the roller 120.

In FIG. 3F, the display panel 110 is completely rolled onto the roller120 and the fabrication process of the rollable display device 100 iscompleted.

In the rollable display device 100 according to the first embodiment ofthe present disclosure, the display panel 110 is rolled onto the roller120 when the rollable display device 100 is not used and the displaypanel 110 is unrolled from the roller 120 when the rollable displaydevice 100 is used. As a result, the rollable display device 100 has anadvantage in a space application. In addition, since the rollabledisplay device 100 has an ultra thin profile and a light weight, therollable display device 100 has advantages in interior decoration anddesign.

Specifically, since the PCB 130 is stably fixed in the inner space A ofthe roller 120, application of an impact to the PCB 130 and a stress tothe connecting means 140 between the PCB 130 and the display panel 110is prevented even when the display panel 110 is rolled onto or unrolledfrom the roller 120. Accordingly, breakdown of a driving circuit on thePCB 130 and disconnection between the PCB 130 and the display panel 110are prevented, thereby preventing deterioration of signals and improvingreliability of the rollable display device 100.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are views showing a rollable display device according toa second embodiment of the present disclosure.

In an OFF state where a display panel does not display an image, asshown in FIG. 4A, the display panel rolled onto a roller is disposed ina case. In an ON state where the display panel displays an image, asshown in FIG. 4B, a first side of the display panel is pulled upwardlyfrom the case and the display panel is automatically spread out.Accordingly, the rollable display device has advantages in a spaceapplication. In addition, since the rollable display device has an ultrathin profile and a light weight, the rollable display device hasadvantages in interior decoration and design.

In the rollable display device, the display panel is spread outupwardly, and the case may be disposed on a bottom of a user's space.Since it is not necessary to install the rollable display device on aceiling or a sidewall, the rollable display device may create a fineview to have an excellent effect in interior decoration and design. Theinstallation of the rollable display device on the ceiling or thesidewall may be difficult and may require an expensive cost. Since therollable display device is installed on the bottom, an additionalinstallation is omitted and installation cost is reduced. Further, sincethe rollable display device has an ultra thin profile and a lightweight, it is simple and easy to move and keep the rollable displaydevice. Specifically, since the display panel is fully automaticallyrolled onto and unrolled from the roller, convenience of a user isimproved.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective views showing a rollable display devicein an OFF state and an ON state, respectively, according to a secondembodiment of the present disclosure.

In FIGS. 5A and 5B, a rollable display device 200 includes a displaypanel 210 displaying an image, a roller 220 (of FIG. 6A) where thedisplay panel 210 is rolled, a driving unit 300 for rolling andunrolling the display panel 210 and a case 230 accommodating the roller220. In an OFF state of the rollable display device 200, the displaypanel 210 is pulled downwardly into the case 230 and is rolled onto theroller 220. In an ON state of the rollable display device 200, thedisplay panel 210 is unrolled from the roller 220 and is pulled upwardlyfrom the case 230.

The display panel 210 may include one of a liquid crystal display (LCD)device, a plasma display panel (PDP) device, an organic light emittingdiode (OLED) display device and a field emission display (FED) device.For example, the display panel 210 may be the OLED display device as aflexible display device which keeps displaying an image even when bentlike a paper.

Since a backlight unit for the LCD device of a non-emissive type is notrequired for the OLED display device of an emissive type, the OLEDdisplay device has a light weight and a thin profile. In addition, theOLED display device has advantages in a viewing angle, a contrast ratioand power consumption as compared with the LCD device. Further, the OLEDdisplay device can be driven with a low direct current (DC) voltage andhas a rapid response speed. Moreover, since the inner elements of theOLED display device have a solid phase, the OLED display device has anexcellent durability against an external impact and has a wide availabletemperature range. Specifically, since the OLED display device isfabricated through a simple process, the fabrication cost is reduced ascompared with the LCD device.

The display panel 210 may include first and second substrates facing andspaced apart from each other and the first and second substrates may beattached using a protecting layer having an adhesive property.

Although not shown, the first and second substrates have a plurality ofpixel regions in a display area. A driving thin film transistor may beformed in each pixel region on the first substrate. A first electrodeconnected to the driving thin film transistor is formed in each pixelregion, and a light emitting layer emitting a colored light and a secondelectrode are sequentially formed on the first electrode. The lightemitting layer emitting a light of red, green and blue colors may beformed by patterning an organic material. The first electrode, the lightemitting layer and the second electrode may constitute a light emittingdiode (LED). In addition, the first and second electrodes may functionas an anode and a cathode, respectively.

The display panel 210 may have a non-display area surrounding thedisplay area, and a plurality of lines and a plurality of driving chipsfor transmitting and generating driving signals and power signals areformed in the non-display area.

Although not shown, a printed circuit board (PCB) electrically connectedto the plurality of lines is attached to the non-display area of thedisplay panel 210. The PCB may be connected to an edge of the displaypanel 210 through a connecting means such as a flexible printed circuit(FPC) or a tape carrier package (TCP).

In an OFF state where the display panel 210 does not display an image,as shown in FIG. 5A, the display panel 210 rolled onto the roller 220 ispulled downwardly to be disposed in the case 230. In an ON state wherethe display panel 210 displays an image, as shown in FIG. 5B, thedisplay panel 210 unrolled from the roller 220 is pulled upwardly to bespread outside the case 230. The display panel 210 is fullyautomatically rolled onto and unrolled from the roller 220 by thedriving unit 300 to have one of the OFF and ON states. In the rollabledisplay device 200, since the display panel 210 is easily rolled ontoand unrolled from the roller 220 according to one of the OFF and ONstates, convenience of a user is improved.

The driving unit 300 may include first and second motors 301 a and 301b, first and second links 303 a and 303 b, a rail unit 310 and a fixingbracket 320. The first and second motors 301 a and 301 b may generate arotational force, and the first and second links 303 a and 303 b maymove by the rotational force of the first and second motors 301 a and301 b, respectively. For example, one end of each of the first andsecond links 303 a and 303 b may be connected to each of the first andsecond motors 301 a and 301 b, and the other end of each of the firstand second links 303 a may rotate with respect to the one end. The firstand second links 303 a and 303 b may be connected to the rail unit 310through first and second rotational links 305 a and 305 b, respectively.The fixing bracket 320 may be connected to the rail unit 310 to fix afirst side of the display panel 210.

The rail unit 310 may include a guide rail 311 (of FIG. 6A) having alength corresponding to a first side of the display panel 210, and firstand second guide brackets 313 a and 313 b (of FIG. 6B) moving along theguide rail 311. The first and second guide brackets 313 a and 313 b areconnected to the first and second links 303 a and 303 b through thefirst and second rotational links 305 a and 305 b, respectively. Inaddition, each of the first and second links 303 a and 303 b may have alength corresponding a half of the first side of the display panel 210.

The one ends of the first and second links 303 a and 303 b may bedisposed at end portions, respectively, of the case 230 along a lengthdirection. The other ends of the first and second links 303 a and 303 bmay be disposed to face each other or may circularly move by therotational force of the first and second motors 301 a and 301 b to pushthe rail unit 310 and the fixing bracket 320 upwardly.

Since the rail unit 310 and the fixing bracket 320 are pushed upwardly,the first side of the display panel 210 fixed to the fixing bracket 320is pulled upwardly and the display panel 210 is spread outwardly. Whenthe display panel 210 is spread, the first and second links 303 a and303 b support second and third sides, respectively, perpendicular to thefirst side of the display panel 210.

As a result, in the rollable display device 200 according to the secondembodiment of the present disclosure, the display panel 210 rolled ontothe roller 220 is disposed in the case 230 in the OFF state, and thedisplay panel 210 is pulled upwardly from the case 230 and displays animage in the ON state according to a user's demands. Specifically, sincethe display panel 210 is fully automatically rolled onto and unrolledfrom the roller 220, convenience of a user is further improved.

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view showing a rollable display device inan OFF state according to a second embodiment of the present disclosureand FIG. 6B is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 6A. FIG. 6C is aperspective view showing a rollable display device changing from an OFFstate to an ON state according to a second embodiment of the presentdisclosure and FIG. 6D is a perspective view showing a rollable displaydevice in an ON state according to a second embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

In FIGS. 6A and 6B, the rollable display device 200 includes the displaypanel 210, the roller 220, the driving unit 300 and the case 230. Thedisplay panel 210 is rolled onto the roller 220 and a first side of thedisplay panel 210 is fixed to the fixing bracket 320 of the driving unit300.

The driving unit 300 includes the first and second motors 301 a and 301b, the first and second links 303 a and 303 b, the rail unit 310 and thefixing bracket 320. The first and second motors 301 a and 301 b generatea rotational force, and the first and second links 303 a and 303 b moveby the rotational force of the first and second motors 301 a and 301 b,respectively. For example, first ends of the first and second links 303a and 303 b may be connected to the first and second motors 301 a and301 b, respectively, and the other ends of the first and second links303 a may rotate with respect to the first ends. The first and secondlinks 303 a and 303 b are connected to the rail unit 310 through firstand second rotational links 305 a and 305 b, respectively. The fixingbracket 320 is connected to the rail unit 310 to fix the first side ofthe display panel 210.

The first side of the display panel 210 is fixed to the fixing bracket320 and the fourth side opposite to the first side of the display panel210 is fixed to the roller 220. The fixing bracket 320 may include asupporting portion 321 supporting a rear surface of the first side ofthe display panel 210 and a fixing portion 323 protruding from one endof the supporting portion 321 toward a front of the display panel 210where an image is displayed. The fixing portion 323 may include aninserting hole 325 into which the first side of the display panel 210 isinserted. The fixing bracket 320 may have a length corresponding to thefirst side of the display panel 210.

The rail unit 310 is disposed under the fixing bracket 320 on the rearsurface of the display panel 210, and the guide rail 311 of the railunit 310 is connected and fixed to the other end of the supportingportion 321 of the fixing bracket 320. The guide rail 311 may have alength corresponding to the first side of the display panel 210, and thefirst and second guide brackets 313 a and 313 b are connected to theguide rail 311 to move along the guide rail 311.

The guide rail 311 having a “U” shape in cross-sectional view mayinclude a first guide portion 311 a connected to the other end of thesupporting portion 321 of the fixing bracket 320, a second guide portion311 b facing and parallel to the first guide portion 311 a and aconnecting portion 311 c interconnecting the first and second guideportions 311 a and 311 b and perpendicular to the first and second guideportions 311 a and 311 b. In addition, third and fourth guide portions311 d and 311 e are perpendicularly extend from the other ends of thefirst and second guide portions 311 a and 311 b, respectively, toconstitute an opening of the guide rail 311.

Each of the first and second guide brackets 313 a and 313 b may includea vertical guide portion 315 facing the connecting portion 311 c and ahorizontal guide portion 317 protruding from the vertical guide portion315 toward the opening of the guide rail 311.

First and second guide holes 319 a and 319 b are formed in innersurfaces of the first and second guide portions 311 a and 311 b,respectively, and both ends of the vertical guide portion 315 of each ofthe first and second guide brackets 313 a and 313 b along a verticaldirection are inserted into the first and second guide holes 319 a and319 b, respectively.

The first and second guide brackets 313 a and 313 b move along the guiderail 311 with both ends of the vertical guide portion 315 inserted intothe first and second guide holes 319 a and 319 b of the guide rail 311.As a result, the first and second guide brackets 313 a and 313 b have alinear motion along a length direction of the guide rail 311.

In the OFF state, as shown in FIG. 6B, the first and second guidebrackets 313 a and 313 b are disposed at a central portion of the guiderail 311.

First ends of the first and second rotational links 305 a and 305 b arefixed to the vertical guide portions 317 of the first and second guidebrackets 313 a and 313 b, respectively, and the first and secondrotational links 305 a and 305 b are rotatably connected to the firstand second links 303 a and 303 b, respectively, under the rail unit 310.

Each of the first and second links 303 a and 303 b may have a lengthcorresponding to half of the first side of the display panel 210. Thefirst ends of the first and second links 303 a and 303 b may beconnected to the first and second motors 301 a and 301 b, respectively,and the other ends of the first and second links 303 a and 303 b mayface each other.

First ends of the first and second rotational links 305 a and 305 b arefixed to the first and second guide brackets 313 a and 313 b,respectively, at the central portion of the guide rail 311, and theother ends of the first and second rotational links 305 a and 305 b arerotatably connected to the other ends of the first and second links 303a and 303 b, respectively. The other ends of the first and secondrotational links 305 a and 305 b are rotatable with respect to the otherends of the first and second links 303 a and 303 b, respectively.

The first and second links 303 a and 303 b have a rotational motion.When the rotational force of the first and second motors 301 a and 301 bis transferred to the first and second links 303 a and 303 b,respectively, the first and second links 303 a and 303 b rotate withrespect to the one ends thereof clockwise or counterclockwise. As aresult, the other ends of the first and second links 303 a and 303 bmove along curves (circular arc) corresponding to the rotational motion.In addition, the first and second rotational links 305 a and 305 bconnected to the other ends of the first and second links 303 a and 303b rotate according to the rotational motion of the first and secondlinks 303 a and 303 b.

The rotational force of the first and second links 303 a and 303 b istransferred to the first and second guide brackets 313 a and 313 bthrough the first and second rotational links 305 a and 305 b,respectively. As a result, the first and second guide brackets 313 a and313 b move from the central portion to opposite end portions of theguide rail 311 along the length direction of the guide rail 311. Thefirst and second guide brackets 313 a and 313 b have a linear motionopposite to each other due to the rotational force of the first andsecond links 303 a and 303 b.

Accordingly, the rail unit 310 and the fixing bracket 320 are pushedupwardly due to the rotational force of the first and second links 303 aand 303 b and the linear force of the first and second guide brackets313 a and 313 b. As the rail unit 310 and the fixing bracket 320 arepushed upwardly, the display panel 210 fixed to the fixing bracket 320is pushed upwardly to be unrolled from the roller 220.

When the first and second links 303 a and 303 b are disposedperpendicular to the length direction of the display panel 210,operation of the first and second motors 301 a and 301 b stops so thatthe rollable display device 200 can have the ON state as shown in FIG.6D. In the ON state, the first and second links 303 a and 303 b maysupport the second and third sides, respectively, perpendicular to thefirst side of the display panel 210. Accordingly, stiffness of thedisplay panel 210 when fully spread out is improved.

Although not shown, a torque motor coupled with the first and secondmotors 301 a and 301 b may be formed in the roller 220. When the firstand second motors 301 a and 301 b operate, the torque motor may operateto correspond to the operation of the first and second motors 301 a and301 b. As a result, while the display panel 210 is unrolled from theroller 220, the roller 220 rotates due to the torque motor. Since theroller 220 rotates in addition to the rotational force of the first andsecond links 303 a and 303 b and the linear force of the first andsecond guide brackets 313 a and 313 b pushing the rail unit 310 and thefixing bracket 320 upwardly, the display panel 210 may be further easilypulled upwardly and may be further easily spread out.

In the rollable display device 200, the display panel 210 may have anaspect ratio of 4:3 or 16:9, and each of the first and second links 303a and 303 b may have a length corresponding to half of the first side ofthe display panel 210. As a result, when the display panel 210 of anaspect ratio of 16:9 has the first side of 16 and the second and thirdsides of 9, each of the first and second links 303 a and 303 b has alength of 8 (=16/2). Since the length of each of the first and secondlinks 303 a and 303 b is shorter than each of the second and third sidesof the display panel 210, the first and second links 303 a and 303 b maynot completely support the second and third sides of the display panel210 and the display panel 210 may not be fully spread out. For thepurpose of preventing the incomplete spread of the display panel 210, inthe rollable display device 200 according to the second embodiment ofthe present invention, the fixing bracket 320 fixing the first side ofthe display panel 210 supports a residual region A of the display panel210 which is not supported by the first and second links 303 a and 303b.

For example, the supporting portion 321 of the fixing bracket 320 mayhave a height D corresponding to the residual region A which is notsupported by the first and second links 303 a and 303 b. In addition,the first side of the display panel 210 may be inserted into theinserting hole 325 formed in the fixing portion 323 protruding from oneend of the supporting portion 321. As a result, a length of each of thesecond and third sides of the display panel 210 may correspond to a sumof the height D of the supporting portion and a length of each of thefirst and second links 303 a and 303 b. Since the fixing bracket 320 maysupport and fix the residual region A, the display panel 210 may befully spread out.

Further, although not shown, the display panel 210 and the roller 220 ofthe second embodiment may have the same structure as the display panel110 and the roller 120 of the first embodiment. For example, a printedcircuit board (PCB) may be connected to a fourth side opposite to thefirst side of the display panel 210 through a connecting means. Inaddition, the roller 220 may have a guide hole, a through hole and afixing groove, and the PCB may have a pin hole. The PCB and theconnecting means may be inserted into the guide hole and a pin may beinserted into the through hole and the pin hole to be fixed to thefixing groove, thereby stably fixing the PCB in the roller 220.

Consequently, in the rollable display device 200 according to the secondembodiment of the present invention, the display panel 210 is rolledonto the roller 220 and is disposed in the case 230 in the OFF statewhere the display panel 210 does not display an image. In addition, thedisplay panel 210 is pulled upwardly from the case 230 and isautomatically spread out in the ON state where the display panel 210displays an image. Accordingly, the rollable display device 200 hasadvantages in a space application. Further, since the rollable displaydevice 200 has an ultra thin profile and a light weight, the rollabledisplay device 200 has advantages in interior decoration and design.

Moreover, the display panel 210 is spread out upwardly, and the case 230may be disposed on a bottom of a user's space. Since it is not necessaryto install the rollable display device 200 on a ceiling or a sidewall,the rollable display device 200 may create a fine view to have anexcellent effect in interior decoration and design. The installation ofthe rollable display device 200 on the ceiling or the sidewall may bedifficult and may require an expensive cost. Since the rollable displaydevice 200 is installed on the bottom, an additional installation isomitted and installation cost is reduced.

Furthermore, since the rollable display device 200 has an ultra thinprofile and a light weight, it is simple and easy to move and keep therollable display device 200. Specifically, since the display panel 210is fully automatically rolled onto and unrolled from the roller 220,convenience of a user is improved.

In a method of providing a display, the flexible display panel 110, 210is provided and configured to produce an image. A portion of theflexible display panel 110, 210 is elevated to unfurl the flexibledisplay panel 110, 210. One manner of unfurling the flexible displaypanel 110, 210 is by unrolling the flexible display panel 110, 210during the elevating of the portion of the flexible display panel 110,210. The flexible display panel 110, 210 may be unrolled from ahousing/case 230 by elevating one end of the flexible display panel 110,210 by upwardly pushing the one end of the flexible display panel 110,210. Conversely, the flexible display panel 110, 210 may be rolled upinto the case 230 by lowering the one end of the flexible display panel110, 210. The flexible display panel 110, 210 may be unrolled from orrolled up onto a roller 120, 220 provided within the case 230.

As discussed previously, an elevating mechanism is providing forelevating the portion of the flexible display panel 110, 210 byextending the flexible display panel 110, 210 from the case 230. Theelevating mechanism includes a guide rail 311 attached to the portion ofthe flexible display panel 110, 210, and links 303 a, 303 b configuredto elevate the guide rail 311. In addition, as discussed previously, aprinted circuit board 130 is connected to the flexible display panel110, 210 and located within the roller 120, 220, and is configured totransmit a signal from the printed circuit board 130 to the flexibledisplay panel 110, 210 to produce an image by the flexible display panel110, 210.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in a rollable display device ofthe present disclosure without departing from the sprit or scope of thedisclosure. Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure covers themodifications and variations of these embodiments provided they comewithin the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of providing a display, comprising:providing a flexible display panel configured to produce an image;providing a tubular roller having an outer curved surface onto which theflexible display panel is selectively wound and unwound, and an innersurface defining a hollow interior space within the roller; providing aslit extending into the roller from the outer curved surface of theroller to the inner surface of the roller and extending longitudinallyalong the roller, the roller having no more than one slit extendinglongitudinally along the roller from a first end of the roller to asecond end of the roller; providing a printed circuit board separatefrom the flexible display panel and located within the hollow interiorspace of the roller; providing a connecting unit disposed between theprinted circuit board and the flexible display panel to connect theprinted circuit board to the flexible display panel; and elevating aportion of the flexible display panel to unwind the flexible displaypanel from the roller.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:transmitting a signal from the printed circuit board to the flexibledisplay panel; and producing the image by the flexible display panel. 3.The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a housing from whichthe flexible display panel is unrolled.
 4. The method of claim 3,further comprising lowering the portion of the flexible display panel toroll up the flexible display panel within the housing.
 5. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the portion of the flexible display panel is pushedupwardly during the elevating of the portion of the flexible displaypanel.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the portion of the flexibledisplay panel is one end of the flexible display panel.
 7. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising producing the image by the flexible displaypanel.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the slit extends longitudinallyalong the roller from the first end of the roller to the second end ofthe roller.
 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing acase for housing the roller therein.
 10. The method of claim 9, furthercomprising: providing an elevating mechanism configured to extend theflexible display panel from the case, wherein the providing theelevating mechanism includes: providing a guide rail and at least onelink configured to elevate the guide rail; and providing first andsecond guide brackets connected to the at least one link, each of thefirst and second guide brackets including a rotational link portionrotatably connected to one of the at least one link.
 11. The method ofclaim 10, further comprising configuring the first guide bracket and thesecond guide bracket to move linearly along the guide rail withoutrotating.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least one linkcomprises a first link and a second link, and further comprising:providing the first guide bracket at one end of the first link;configuring the first guide bracket to be movable along the guide rail;providing the second guide bracket at one end of the second link; andconfiguring the second guide bracket to be movable along the guide rail.13. The method of claim 12, further comprising configuring the firstlink and the second link to be rotatable in opposite directions to movethe first guide bracket and the second guide bracket linearly along theguide rail.
 14. The method of claim 10, further comprising attaching theguide rail to the flexible display panel.
 15. The method of claim 10,further comprising: providing the first guide bracket at one end of theat least one link; and configuring the first guide bracket to be movablealong the guide rail.
 16. The method of claim 10, further comprising:configuring the first guide bracket and the second guide bracket to eachinclude a guide portion located within the guide rail; and configuringthe rotational link portion to extend from the guide portion.
 17. Themethod of claim 16, wherein the at least one link comprises a first linkand a second link, and further comprising: rotatably connecting therotational link portion of the first guide bracket to the first link;and rotatably connecting the rotational link portion of the second guidebracket to the second link.
 18. The method of claim 17, furthercomprising: providing the first link and the second link to be rotatablein opposite directions; and configuring the first guide bracket and thesecond guide bracket to move linearly along the guide rail withoutrotating.
 19. The method of claim 1, further comprising positioning theconnecting unit in the slit of the roller.
 20. The method of claim 19,further comprising applying an adhesive to an edge portion of theflexible display panel to attached the flexible display panel to theouter curved surface of the roller without the flexible display panelextending into the slit of the roller.